Local stop could see changes

Former LPGA star Pepper to play part in event, which could be changing venues

Published 9:59 pm, Monday, July 28, 2014

Marissa Steen hits out of a sand trap on the 18th hole during the final round of the SEFCU Championship, a Symetra Tournament, at Capital Hills golf course on Sunday, July 27, 2014, in Albany, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union) less

Marissa Steen hits out of a sand trap on the 18th hole during the final round of the SEFCU Championship, a Symetra Tournament, at Capital Hills golf course on Sunday, July 27, 2014, in Albany, N.Y. (Paul ... more

Golf carts with players head back to the clubhouse when play was suspended due to lightning during the final round of the SEFCU Championship, a Symetra Tournament, at Capital Hills golf course on Sunday, July 27, 2014, in Albany, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union) less

Golf carts with players head back to the clubhouse when play was suspended due to lightning during the final round of the SEFCU Championship, a Symetra Tournament, at Capital Hills golf course on Sunday, July ... more

Dottie Pepper, former LPGA pro and TV golf commentator, talks with 40 fourth and fifth graders during the First Tee program on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at Voorheesville Elementary in Voorheesville, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union) less

Dottie Pepper, former LPGA pro and TV golf commentator, talks with 40 fourth and fifth graders during the First Tee program on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at Voorheesville Elementary in Voorheesville, N.Y. (Cindy ... more

Photo: Cindy Schultz

Local stop could see changes

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Officials of the local Symetra Tour golf event are hoping a little Pepper can spice up next year's tournament.

Jim Miller, organizer for the tour's SEFCU Championship last week at Capital Hills, confirmed Monday that former LPGA star and Saratoga Springs resident Dottie Pepper will be involved in some capacity for next year's Symetra stop.

It also is possible that the tournament, held at Albany's municipal course the past 11 years, could have a new venue.

"I'm committed to bringing the tournament back," Miller said. "The question is where."

Pepper's potential involvement has been discussed for the past several months.

Although they declined an interview request, tour officials are on board with Pepper helping the local tournament, according to Miller.

Pepper, who spent the past three weeks in the United Kingdom in her role as an ESPN broadcaster, spent most of Monday on an airplane and could not be reached. Her specific duties in regard to the tournament have not been determined.

"She's committed to being involved," Miller said, "but part of that commitment is we have to work around her broadcast schedule, which is not an issue. One of the goals is to get it out of the July and August months."

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A move to May or June seems likely, if the tour can arrange that. Most of July would be out of play because of Pepper's ESPN commitments.

The tournament, held every year since 1984 except for 1999, has been played at four different courses. As an amateur, Pepper won the 1985 event — when the tour was known as the Futures — at Town of Colonie.

Miller said the 2015 event will be held either at Capital Hills or Saratoga National.

"I'm very much intrigued about going to Saratoga — the course, the facilities," he said. "I'm conflicted a little bit because my heart and my loyalty has been in Albany for 11 years."

For the first time next season, the tournament will have to pay a fee if it stays at Capital Hills. It would pay even a larger course fee at Saratoga National, a high-end resort course that likely would be the best track that the Symetra Tour sees all season.

Economics would drive that decision, Miller said.

"That would be the No. 1 point to all of this," he said. "Can we afford to take the tournament to Saratoga National? Where we've been lucky for 11 years, we haven't had a course fee. That's going to change whether we stay in Albany or go to Saratoga National, we're going to get a course fee. That has to be factored in."